With Queensland forward Tom Gilbert returning from shoulder surgery and beginning contact drills, the Dolphins have an early advantage in the preseason as they eagerly await the arrival of another fantastic ‘Tom’.
In the upcoming weeks, the explosive lock forward and former Brisbane prop Thomas Flegler are expected to train together, providing the Dolphins with the aggression and threat they were lacking towards the end of the 2023 NRL season.
When Gilbert rejoins the Dolphins in 2024, he will be almost a brand-new acquisition
The Wayne Bennett-coached Maroons were in sixth place, two points behind the competition lead, when he dislocated his shoulder while playing for the team in Adelaide during the first State of Origin match of the series.
The 23-year-old did not play in any more games, and the team dropped to finish in 14th place on the standings.
During Tuesday’s practice, Gilbert said what every Dolphins supporter had been hoping to hear.
Gilbert declared, “I have now established contact.”
There’s not a hurry. I have three months to make all the arrangements. I’m capable of doing everything when it comes to running and working out. I feel prepared for this preseason, strong, and fit.
Flegler, the Australian representative, and Gilbert, the Maroons, both play with strength, passion, and a dash of old-fashioned no-nonsense.
Two of the top young middle forwards in the league are these guys.
Gilbert forged a deadly combination with teammate and close friend Reuben Cotter while he was at North Queensland.
With the Dolphins, he hopes Flegler can be that man.
“I adore Tommy’s style of playing. I adore how we might be able to enhance one another,” Gilbert remarked.
“We need to get our combination sorted, work hard and then we can talk about what kind of one-two punch we can be.”
From the moment he arrived at the Dolphins’ preseason last year, Gilbert set the bar high. During training, his boisterous voice is audible, encouraging his teammates all the time.
Like Flegler, he is a constant presence on the field.
“When Tom gets here we have to push him and have him pushing us so we can get the best out of ourselves so we can be the pack people think we can be,” Gilbert stated.
I’m hoping I can bring something to the team to help us compete with the best teams in the competition.
